The curtain has finally fallen on the controversy that has dominated the Saudi and international sports scene in recent days, as Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al-Nassr's first football team, has made his final and decisive decision regarding his future with "Al-Nassr" and the possibility of his departure from the team, amidst conflicting reports that have recently spread about an internal crisis.

The truth about Ronaldo's departure and Fabrizio Romano's confirmations

In this context, Fabrizio Romano, a reliable Italian journalist specializing in the global transfer market, put an end to the ongoing speculation via his official Twitter account. Romano categorically confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will not terminate his contract with Al-Nassr, emphasizing that all rumors circulating about the "Madeira Rocket's" desire to leave are completely unfounded. Romano explained that there is a strong, mutual desire for the Portuguese legend to remain with the Riyadh-based club and not leave the team at this time.

Ronaldo's ambitions and the Al-Nassr sports project

The reliable journalist added that Ronaldo's decision to stay stems from his burning desire to win titles and championships with Al-Nassr. The all-time leading scorer in football aims to help his teammates and the team as a whole compete fiercely on all local and continental fronts in the coming period. This commitment confirms the seriousness of the sporting project that Ronaldo began with Al-Nassr since his historic move in January 2013, which has brought about a tremendous transformation in the history of the Saudi Professional League, making it a focus of global attention and a magnet for top European stars.

The impact of stability on the team's performance

Ronaldo's continued presence is a cornerstone of the team's technical and administrative stability. He carries significant weight not only as a goalscorer but also as a leader and mentor to both young players and seasoned professionals in the locker room. Denying the departure rumors restores calm to the "Yellows" camp, allowing the coaching staff and players to fully focus on upcoming challenges, free from media distractions that could negatively impact their performance on the pitch.

A fiery encounter is expected against Al-Ittihad

On the field, Al-Nassr continues its intensive preparations for one of the most important matches of the season, as it prepares to face its traditional rival, Al-Ittihad, in the Saudi Arabian football classic. This match is part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled to take place at Al-Ahli Park Stadium in Riyadh, where all eyes will be on Ronaldo and his teammates in this potentially pivotal match in the race for the league title.

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, is preparing to lead the Saudi Arabian delegation participating in the Milan 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The global sporting event is scheduled to officially begin at 8:00 PM next Friday with a grand opening ceremony at the historic San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, marking the start of the competitions featuring the world's elite athletes.

Supporting leadership and empowering Saudi sports

In a press statement on this important occasion, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal affirmed that Saudi Arabia's presence at this major Olympic event embodies the generous and unlimited support the sports sector receives from the wise leadership – may God protect them. His Highness pointed out that this support has been the cornerstone of achieving significant leaps and remarkable development in various sports, including winter sports, which have witnessed rapid and impressive growth in recent years, whether in terms of administrative organization, the expansion of the participant base, or the quality of international representation.

The importance of participation and the future of winter sports

His Highness added in his speech: “This participation is a pivotal milestone in a strategic path to build and develop the winter sports system in the Kingdom. It is a golden opportunity for Saudi athletes to have direct contact with the best international players and professionals, which effectively contributes to raising their technical readiness, refining their field experience, and enhancing the honorable Saudi presence on the international Olympic stage.”.

Context of the event and its strategic dimensions

The Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina hold special significance, as Italy returns to host the event after Turin in 2006, lending a classic and prestigious atmosphere to the competitions. For Saudi Arabia, this participation is not merely symbolic; it is part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the quality of life and position the Kingdom on the global sporting map across all disciplines, including sports that were not traditionally popular in the region.

Preparing for future challenges

This move aligns with Saudi Arabia's ambitious goals in the winter sports sector, particularly following the Kingdom's successful bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Trogina, NEOM. Participation in Milan-Cortina 2026 serves as valuable preparation and a practical test for Saudi personnel – not only athletes but also administrators and technical staff – allowing them to gain the necessary experience from major international events in preparation for welcoming the world to NEOM. This reflects the Kingdom's commitment to becoming a leading and diverse global sports destination.

Al-Ahli's first football team is preparing for a crucial and highly anticipated match against Al-Hazm, as part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League, to be held at Al-Inma Stadium. This match comes at a time when Al-Ahli is striving to continue accumulating points and strengthening its position in the league standings. However, the team faces some significant absences that may force German coach Matthias Jäsle to make tactical changes to the starting lineup.

It has been officially confirmed that Al-Ahli's right-back, Ali Majrashi, will miss this match due to suspension. Majrashi's suspension is a disciplinary measure following his red card in the team's previous match against arch-rivals Al-Hilal in the last round's top fixture. That match was marked by intense physical challenges and fierce competition, which led to the player's dismissal.

In related news regarding tactical decisions, Al-Ahli's squad will be missing another player, Brazilian professional Matheus Gonçalves. Gonçalves' exclusion was a direct tactical decision by head coach Matías Jääsle, in compliance with the regulations of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Professional League Association, which stipulate a specific number of foreign players per matchday. This forces the coach to choose among the team's foreign stars and select the most tactically suitable option for the opponent.

Al-Ahli enters this match after securing a goalless draw in their last outing against league leaders Al-Hilal. While critics considered this a respectable result given the strength of their opponents, it has only intensified the Jeddah-based team's desire to quickly return to winning ways and secure a spot in next season's Asian Champions League. The Al-Hazm match is of paramount importance to Al-Ahli, as dropping any points against mid-table or lower-ranked teams could complicate their chances of finishing in the top four, especially with the fierce competition for a place in the top four.

On the other hand, Al-Hazm team seeks to exploit these absences in the ranks of its guest and try to come out with a positive result that will help it improve its position in the standings, which makes the match open to all possibilities, and a real challenge to the depth of the squad that coach Yasleh has and his ability to compensate for the absences with substitute elements capable of making a difference.